OH-58D Kiowa
Warrior

XM296 .50 Cal. (12.7mm) MACHINE
GUN

The XM296 is a pod mounted,
automatic, recoil-operated, link-belt fed, air-cooled
machine gun. The weapon has a maximum rate of fire from
750-800 rounds per minute (500-650 rounds per minute
desired). Ammunition is fed from the right side of the
machine gun, to facilitate left-side applications on the
OH-58D firing platform. The percussion-type primed
ammunition is fired by actuating the gun-firing solenoid.
The XM296 machine gun functions in the same manner as the
M2 .50 cal. machine gun, except it is fired remotely using
an electrical solenoid and does not contain the bolt latch
which allows for single-shot operation.

GIMBAL RING ASSEMBLY

The ginbal ring serves as
the mechanical interface between the machine gun trunnion
and the gun cradle. It provides 2-axis movement for machine
gun boresight adjustments.The XM296 Machine Gun consists of the
following major functional assemblies:

BOLT GROUP

The bolt group is the major
recoiling assembly in the weapon. During the firing of the
weapon, the bolt group cocks the firing pin, extracts the
cartridge case, actuates the belt feed lever to advance the
ammunition belt, and chambers a new round of ammunition.
The bolt is mounted within the center of the receiver.Bolt Group

BARREL BUFFER GROUP

The barrel buffer group,
housed in the buffer body, is composed of the buffer body
assembly and the buffer assembly. During weapon operation
the barrel buffer accomplishes the following functions:
brings the barrel and barrel extension to rest (cushioning
the shock, and holding them on recoil), transmits barrel
and barrel extension recoil energy (through the
accelerator, to speed-up the recoil of the bolt), returning
the barrel and barrel extension to battery (by means of the
buffer spring expanding assisted by the
accelerator/counter-recoil), and coordinates the locking
action of the barrel extension and bolt (through the
accelerator action).Barrel Buffer Group

BARREL AND BARREL EXTENSION
GROUP

The barrel and barrel
extension group is mounted in the front end of the
receiver. The barrel and barrel extension group is a
recoiling component of the weapon. The front end of the
barrel is supported by the recoil booster and rear end by
the barrel extension. Barrel head spacing is accomplished
by adjusting the barrel in or out of the barrel extension.
The adjustments are retained by the barrel locking
spring.Barrel and Barrel Extension
Group

COVER GROUP

The cover group, located on
top of the weapon, is composed of the cover, belt feed
slide group, cover extractor cam, cover extractor spring,
and belt feed lever. The cover group pulls ammunition into
the feedway and enables the extractor to pull rounds from
the bolt.

BACK PLATE ASSEMBLY

The back plate assembly is
mounted in the receiver side plate's groves. The back plate
cushions the impact of the bolt and starts the bolt
forward.Back Plate Assembly and Cover
Group

RECEIVER AND BARREL JACKET
GROUP

This group is comprised of
the receiver and barrel jacket. The purpose of this group
is to house the internal working parts of the gun and
support the stationary parts.